TGIF!!! Almost....

Technically, it's my "hump" day...  A coworker needed off tomorrow so we swapped...  But, I get to work a different unit , so a little change up and a lot less crazy!!  Just hate I'm missing the Alabama game... 

I DO get my "X" for not spending yesterday---but I've yet to start a "streak"---I'm trying!!

Mya starts her second class of Nosework on Sunday..  Very glad to get her back into her activities..  I have got to start walking her again now that it's getting cooler.  She needs it and according to this mornings weigh in---I sure do!!  We have just been lazy and we for sure do not like the hot weather..  

Other than that, pretty uneventful weekend...  Hope everyone has a good one and of course ROLL TIDE!!!

Streak Was Short....

Well my first "streak" was very short.  Like one day..  Mac lost his car keys on Tuesday and after totally tearing the the house apart, with no keys found---we came to the conclusion that they HAD to be in the truck.   So, I broke down and called a locksmith.  And sixty dollars later, the keys were in the truck between the seat.  But the cost to my "stress level"---way more expensive!!  I know Mac didn't do it on purpose, but his "search level" was not near as high as mine.  I ripped the sheets of the bed.  I had Mac going through his garbage, his drawers, under his bed, behind his bed.  Everywhere.  Now keep in mind, I'm straight up "Madea" mad at this point that I'm having to do this at 6:30am...  Not a happy camper and neither one of us are "morning" people so the tension level was off the chain.  Since we couldn't find them, he took my truck to school and we just dealt with it when he got home.  So brings us to the lockspmith--at 5pm, who finally showed up close to 7pm. 

Can I just say coming to work today is like having a "mommy vacation"!!  It's like my "safe" zone!!  But I don't want to talk too much about that because it can quickly go down hill as well.

Now back to my "No Spending Streaks"---I will for sure get my X today.  I do have to get gas, but that is a "must have" not fluff...  And I packed my breakfast, lunch and dinner today at work--so all is good there!!  I'm hoping for atleast three X's in a row!!

FYI:  No clue who the guy in the picture is!!!

It's Only Day One....

I've started a new "streak" calendar...  Doing my best to work on my budget and control spending...  I think actually seeing it like this will help me...  Now I'm not counting having to pay bills..  This calendar is for all non bill related spending..  The "fluff" stuff..  And yes, Publix is included!!  I'm cutting my Publix trips down to once a week!! I told Mac if he eats it all in two days---suck it up or use your own money to replace it...  

Anybody else have any awesome budgeting tips??

Got My Swag!!!

Can I just say how much I love reading all the blogs I follow...  You can learn so many interesting things and obtain so many ideas from all the sharing we all do!!  Last night I recieved the "swag" gift from an awesome blog I follow called the "Double Chin Diary"....  Now the computer I'm on won't let me do a link to the blog...  HOWEVER, just take a look under the blogs I follow, and there she is!!  I can't wait to try all the cool stuff I got!!  Plus a very cute bag!!! 

Sorry about the "kitchen" pictures...  Didn't have time to glam them up...  Work is beating me down!!!  PLEASE check out the blogs that I follow....  You will love them too!!!

ROLL TIDE!!!

Have a great Saturday friends!!!

TGIF!!! Are You Ready for the WEEKEND???

It's the weekend!!!  I'm so ready!!  Got my overtime in and work week is almost done!!  Going to enjoy my friends and some Saturday Alabama Football!!!!





Dating---It's an Adventure!!!

As promised, here is alittle post on my dating adventures.  As most of you know, I've been separated for at least  five years.  The ex lives in California.  Our divorce became final this past January.  So I started to putting myself out there.  Where do you start?  At my age, 45 (a fresh 45!) there aren't that many men waiving the "I'm single banner".  Well, I took the leap and did the internet dating.  Now I tried some of the paid sites---waste of money.  I don't think, no I know, I never went out with anyone from those...  Where I've met some is on a site called Plenty of Fish.  It's free.  Was easy to use on my phone...  I thought simple and easy!!  Well, free ain't always a good thing..  LOL!!!  Not all were tossed back into the ocean.  I met several that have become dear sweet friends.  And I'm grateful they are in my life...  Then there were a few I think I talked to AFTER I had taken my Ambian----bad move..  But we won't go there.  I'm just not a girl to kiss and tell the world---but some of my close friends are really laughing now at the stories I could tell or already have...

All this leads me to another great book I have found.  I actually started reading her blog and following her  Facebook under The Single Woman.  She has just put all her wonderful advise into a great book.  It's called The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass by Mandy Hale.  I decided to purchase it for several reasons, the actual book that is.  First, it's been decades since I dated---things have changed immensely!!  What I want and what THEY want tend to be different at times.  I don't want to rush into anything.  I want to enjoy your company and just go from there.  Maybe we are just meant to be friends or a friend with a benefit (ha.ha..)---but regardless, I want to be treated and respected like a lady.  Wined and dined...  Have fun with our friends.  Just enjoy life.  Is that asking too much???  But in asking that question, and looking back over past "ventures," lessons have been learned from most all of them (not that I'm dating like crazy) but regrets are few as I learned something about me or about what I want from each of them.
This book lets me know that I'm not alone..  Other single women have done this and survived!  I like how one review said the book is " inspiration to make single life a good life."  That's exactly what I want to do.

If you are like me, and can always use a little guidance---then click on the above book link to see what it's all about...  I'll keep ya'll posted...  Wish me luck!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MAC!!!!

Can you believe I have a 17 year old!!!  Just CRAZY to think my baby is growing up so fast ...

I have am so honored to be your mom and be apart of your amazing life.  Your dad and I love you more than words can ever be expressed!!!

Duck Dynasty---Happy Happy Happy

I  really never anticipated that I would be posting a post about the ever so popular Duck Dynasty show.  But here it is.  When I was in Books A Million last Friday, I couldn't help but notice all the books and items that were flowing off the shelves.  And by that I mean, by "normal" looking people.  I mean that in the best way I can say it.  One of the books that sparked my interest is Happy Happy Happy:  My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander by Phil Robertson.   Now I had already paid for my books, but when I noticed all this hype, I went back to look at it.

I just have to say, I can't wait to read it.  It really sparked my interest.  Phil talks about his up bringing and basically, from what I have read so far, stories on how they made life very happy with very little.  But they had the most powerful thing possible---their faith.  When I got home I looked the book up on Amazon and read the reviews----all were above good.  So, I believe if you give it a try, you will be pleasantly surprised as was I...

The Kindle version is only $5.99...  Not bad for some faith and humor....

Motivational Monday....

Time to put up or shut up...  I will hold myself accountable on here or twitter.  On twitter my name is MerlotChic2...

What motivates you and is it working??

Sunday's Faith

I think after the week I have had---in all aspects of my life---this quote fits best this week for me...

Hope everyone has a beautiful Sunday...

Getting Better and Setting Goals...

When I say that I get one good "take me out" cold a year...  It does just that---knocks me out.  I have been so sick the past two weeks---it sucked!!  Finally, after the second time around to the "doc in the box", more shots in the booty, an inhaler and more meds, I'm finally getting my energy back.  Good energy too.  Feels great!!

 I have been grabbing at anything and everything to fire that motivation even more.  I came across this article on CNN.com and it nails it on the head...   It's called 11 Simple Weight Loss Tips...   Along with all the other tips, I like going back and using the S.M.A.R.T method.  Set a goal and make it Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.  Now, I tend to overshoot this one.  Making it too hard or demanding on myself.  I'm learning start off small, especially since I haven't exercised since Mya got sick. Oh, and did I mention "Merlot" played me alot of visits last month.  So see, PLENTY of reasons to start out with baby steps.  I'm going to keep to the example that the article used because it's the best one, in my opinion, to just get you going again.  I'm going to commit to walking, either with Mya or without but for at least 30 minutes--shooting for 45...  I have a wonderful trail in my subdivision that is shaded and all the way down and back is almost 3.5 miles.   It's perfect!!  I'm also going to start back posting the calories or distance so I can hold my self accountable.  I'm working this weekend, but Monday starts day one of the new me.  NOBODY is holding me back but myself.

I also started a new book, and it seems like it's going to be good.  Now, it's a "chic lit" book.  But I was just in the mood when I was in the book store.  Yes, I'm actually holding a book again.  I've missed that.  The book is called Always Something There to Remind Me by Beth Harbison.  Now I was skeptical at first because it's about her "first love" and how she misses him.   I don't have that problem at all.  But the book grabbed  me and now I'm running with it.  Just click on the link and check it out.

I have so much more to share---the dating life has been quite amusing lately.  I swear I should right a book--but I'm sure there is one out already.  I will just discreetly blog it..  Since this post is so long already, I think I will table it for now and we will chat about that next week.  Trust me, it's comical!!
Enjoy your weekend friends and I'm glad to be back!!!

Day Two of 45....

Yep, day two of being 45----Change is coming!!!  By that, I'm meaning cooler air is right around the corner...  Do you hear that---it's angels singing the song of fall!!  Now granted, this was a "mild" summer for Alabama, but I'm still over the heat regardless.  Mya and I both are ready for nice, cool walks down our trail again.  I haven't walked, jogged or lifted a weight since Mya got sick and it's time for me to get my shit together again!!  I'm really wanting to actually do the Run or Dye 5k in November I think.  So that means put down the wine and lace up the shoes!!  And on the days that I work, here it goes, I'm going to start getting on the treadmill at 4:45am again.  Ya'll remember, back in Febuary when I did that---for like a week then stopped..  No stopping now!!  Go to bed earlier, get my ass up and on that treadmill..  I have so much equipment---I'm either going to start using it, or sell it and join a gym.  Which is totally stupid since I have that at home.  However, I wonder if I could right off the gym membership as networking for my Pure Romance business??  Have to check on that....

So yell if you have too...  I'll log into Facebook or post the Polar or the Garmin calorie count---yes, I even have both of those...  There's simply no excuse but being lazy.  And that crap stops today!!!

Happy Birthday To ME!!!!

I'm sharing it with my awesome work friends...  But it will be fun regardless!!!



Sunday's Faith!!!



My path lately has been all over the place.  It's time to take a step back and find me again.  With his help...